Neighborly Notes

Neighborly Notes

October 25, 1989

PROTESTER THANKS COMMUNITY

I would like to express our appreciation to the people of Smithfield for the many courtesies extended to us during our protests of Oct. 2-3 against violations of animal welfare, worker safety, and environmental quality by the Smithfield Foods Company.

Local officials, from town manager to the town police officers and sheriff's deputies, displayed extraordinary good will and exemplary professional conduct to ensure that we could exercise our rights of assembly and free speech without incidents. Even the arrests resulting from our non-violent civil disobedience were conducted with a minimum of force and extended courtesy.

Although we still face a trial and possibly heavy penalties, we remain confident that the experience of those two days will benefit all parties in the long run.